The Linde Group and Algenol Biofuels agree to cooperate in CO2 and O2 management for biofuel production from algae

Corporate News

Munich, 18 November 2009 - The technology group The Linde Group and the US company Algenol Biofuels LLC have agreed to collaborate in a joint development project in order to identify the optimum management of carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) for Algenol's unique algae and photobioreactor technology. This cooperation will see the companies join forces to develop cost-efficient technologies that capture, store, transport and supply CO2 for Algenol's proprietary process for the production of third-generation (3G) biofuels out of CO2, salt water and algae, as well as remove oxygen from the photobioreactor.

"Producing fuels or chemicals from algae is a promising way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Dr Aldo Belloni, member of the Executive Board of Linde AG. "A cost-efficient supply of CO2 is a key factor in this biofuel chain. As a pioneer and leading company in CO2 capture, transport and supply we are delighted to be a key player in major projects in the algae-to-biofuel area."

The research collaboration builds on a process developed by Algenol Biofuels and other partners. This method utilizes algae, CO2, salt water and sunlight to directly produce 3G bioethanol and other 3G biofuels or biochemicals in photobioreactors. This technology promises numerous benefits. The production facilities, for example, do not need to be built on land required for food or feed production. Furthermore, the procedure does not consume fresh water nor does it involve costly steps for processing or harvesting and storing biomass. A further key benefit is that the algae also consume CO2 from fossil fuel sources (combustion flue gases from coal-fired power plants, for example). The process is almost entirely powered by the sun.

Linde has a wealth of experience in the cost-efficient supply of CO2 for climate- and eco-friendly CO2 recycling applications. The OCAP project (organic CO2 for assimilation by plants) in the Netherlands is a case in point. Here, Linde supplies over 500 greenhouses covering a total area of 1,500 hectares with CO2 transported by pipeline from a refinery. The higher concentrations of CO2 enable the greenhouse crops to grow much faster. Linde also works with leading energy groups to develop, plan and build pilot facilities for capturing and storing CO2 from power plant processes.

About the Linde Group

The Linde Group is a world leading gases and engineering company with almost 50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide. In the 2008 financial year it achieved sales of 12.7 billion euro. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards sustainable earnings-based growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment - in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

Algenol today possesses the most advanced third-generation biofuel technology in the United States. Algenol makes low-cost ethanol directly from CO2 and seawater using hybrid algae in sealed, clear plastic photobioreactors through its unique, patented Direct to Ethanol® technology - all powered by the sun. Algenol's research and development efforts have culminated in a process that produces over 6,000 gallons of ethanol per acre per year, compared to corn at 400. Algenol's process achieves an energy balance of more than five to one and a lifecycle carbon footprint that is merely 20 percent of petroleum (an 80 percent reduction from petroleum).